What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?
Why Would My Child Need Occupational Therapy?
An occupational therapist will evaluate your child (as well as the environment and the task or activity) and, with additional input from you, develop individualized goals that address resuming or pursuing things that are important to your child and family. You and the occupational therapist will then work together on an individualized intervention plan to help improve or maintain your child’s ability to perform daily activities and reach those goals. This plan will take into account what your child wants and needs to do, as well as his or her abilities, which may include modifying both the task and the environment to allow your child to be as independent as possible.
Occupational therapy practitioners also focus on prevention, promoting healthy lifestyles, and addressing mental health. For the young child, occupational therapy focuses on promoting growth and development and helps families with caregiving strategies. Occupational therapy practitioners can widen their focus to groups or school-wide initiatives, which includes anti-bullying strategies, ways to address obesity, and promoting good school design.
When Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?
- Achieve goals and develop life skills; for example, helping your teenager with a developmental disability gain the skills to transition from high school toward further education, employment, and independent living as an adult.
- Stay as healthy and productive as possible; for example, helping your middle schooler develop routines for completing homework assignments and providing fun, safe ways to engage in physical activities.
- Participate in everyday activities; for example, providing age appropriate toys for your infant or toddler so he or she can reach developmental milestones, and developing the skills to interact socially.
In short, an occupational therapy practitioner can help all children live life to its fullest.